Top 10 Magnesium Rich Foods for Sleep, the Heart, Headaches and More

Greetings to you,

Are you possibly magnesium deficient?  A recent government study shows that 68% of Americans do not consume the recommended daily intake of magnesium.  Some of the deficiency symptoms can be leg cramps, foot pain, muscle ‘twitches’, fatigue or weakness.

I’ve included a helpful chart below that has the Top 10 Magnesium Rich Foods courtesy of Dr. Axe, a leading nutritional writer.  Studies show that magnesium soothes insomnia, supports the heart, normalizes blood sugar, and can take away headaches.  For more info on the leading magnesium based natural sleep aid, visit the Sleep Minerals II web page.

To your good health,

Jobee Knight
Nutrition Breakthroughs.com

11 Tips for Better Sleep, Including Magnesium and Calcium

Greetings to you,

There is a great chart below with 10 tips for better sleep.  The additional tip is to take highly absorbable calcium and magnesium softgels before bed.  In one study, published in the European Neurology Journal, researchers found that calcium levels in the body are higher during some of the deepest levels of sleep, such as the rapid eye movement (REM) phase.  Restoration to the normal course of sleep was achieved following the normalization of the blood calcium level.

William Sears, M.D. writes: “Calcium helps the brain use the amino acid tryptophan to manufacture the sleep-inducing substance melatonin. This explains why dairy products, which contain both tryptophan and calcium, are one of the top sleep-inducing foods.”

In magnesium deficiency, chronic insomnia is one of the main, central symptoms. Sleep is usually agitated with frequent nighttime awakenings. On the other hand, a high magnesium, low aluminum diet has been found to be associated with deeper, less interrupted sleep. This was proven in a study done by James Penland at the Human Nutrition Research Center in North Dakota.

Sleep Minerals II from Nutrition Breakthroughs contains calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, and zinc, all mixed together in a softgel with natural rice brain oil for complete absorption.

Richard P. of Parkville, Maryland says: “The Sleep Minerals are making quite a difference.  I was regularly waking up at around 3:00 a.m. and after a few days use my sleep improved quite a lot. I wake up once a night to go to the bathroom, but the great thing is, I then fall back asleep and sleep several more hours.  This has been a great improvement.”

Here’s to your good sleep,

Jobee Knight
President
Nutrition Breakthroughs.com
Maker of the Effective Insomnia Remedy Sleep Minerals II

Light From Tablet Computers Can Reduce Evening Melatonin, Delaying Sleep

From Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York,  the nation’s oldest technological university —

A new study from the Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute shows that a two-hour exposure to electronic devices with self-luminous “backlit” displays causes melatonin suppression, which might lead to delayed bedtimes, especially in teens.

The research team, led by Mariana Figueiro, associate professor at Rensselaer and director of the LRC’s Light and Health Program, tested the effects of self-luminous tablets on melatonin suppression. In order to simulate typical usage of these devices, 13 individuals used self-luminous tablets to read, play games, and watch movies.

Results of the study, titled “Light level and duration of exposure determine the impact of self-luminous tablets on melatonin suppression,” were recently published in the journal Applied Ergonomics.

“Our study shows that a two-hour exposure to light from self-luminous electronic displays can suppress melatonin by about 22 percent. Stimulating the human circadian system to this level may affect sleep in those using the devices prior to bedtime,” said  Mariana Figueiro.
Until manufacturers develop more “circadian-friendly” electronic devices that increase or decrease light exposure based on time of day, Figueiro has several recommendations to reduce their effects on sleep. “We recommended dimming these devices at night as much as possible in order to minimize melatonin suppression, and limiting the amount of time spent using these devices prior to bedtime.”

This health news is provided by Nutrition Breakthroughs.com maker of the effective natural insomnia remedy Sleep Minerals II.  Sleep Minerals II contains powerful forms of the best known minerals for relaxation and sleep — calcium and magnesium, combined with vitamin D and zinc.  The ingredients are formulated in a softgel with healthy oils, making them more quickly absorbable than tablets or capsules and providing a deeper, longer-lasting sleep.

Lyn K. of Los Angeles, CA. says: “Not only do I sleep much more soundly with Sleep Minerals II, it seems to fill in a missing link in my health. I feel stabilized and I’m carried through my day with a stability from the sound rest. Also my heart and eyes feel healthier and stronger.”

See this page for more information on Sleep Minerals II.

Source:
http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/resources/newsroom/pdf/2012-2013/iPad8511.pdf

 

Study Shows Snacking on Almonds Reduces Hunger, Doesn’t add Weight

 

A recent study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition has found that eating 1.5 ounces of lightly salted, dry-roasted almonds each day (about 35 almonds) reduced overall hunger, did not affect body weight, and helped the participants to meet their ideal daily intake of Vitamin E.

With the majority of Americans eating more and more snacks, it’s a great thing to find a snack that doesn’t result in weight gain and that also provides nutritional benefits.

The test divided 137 people into five groups: One group ate no nuts or seeds, another group ate almonds with breakfast, another ate them with lunch, the next group ate them alone as a mid-morning snack, and the last group ate them as a mid-afternoon snack.

An interesting aspect of the study is that the participants were people with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes.  Eating almonds lowered their blood sugar levels after meals, especially for the in between meal “snack” groups.  When consumed as snacks, the almonds also reduced hunger at regular meals.

Richard Mattes PhD, professor of nutrition science at Purdue University in Indiana, and the lead researcher of the study says: “This research suggests that almonds may be a good snack option, especially for those concerned about weight.”  The study shows that almonds can increase healthy fat and Vitamin E intake while avoiding weight gain, despite the increase in calories from eating them.

This health news is provided by www.NutritionBreakthroughs. Since 2001 Nutrition Breakthroughs has been providing natural health articles and effective natural remedies.  Their mission is to provide nutritional supplements that work and get results, and therefore help people to avoid drugs and their side effects.

Since 2009, their natural sleep remedy Sleep Minerals II has been keeping that promise, by soothing even the worst insomnia and helping everyone from teenagers to seniors to get a good night’s sleep.

For more information on Sleep Minerals II visit www.NutritionBreakthroughs.com/Sleep Minerals II

 

Studies Show Calcium Helps Sleep and Remedies Insomnia

Calcium is a sleep remedy

Warm milk has long been a highly recommended folk remedy for insomnia. Regarding this, William Sears, M.D. says: “Calcium helps the brain use the amino acid tryptophan to manufacture the sleep-inducing substance melatonin. This explains why dairy products, which contain both tryptophan and calcium, are one of the top sleep-inducing foods.”

Calcium is directly related to our cycles of sleep.  In one study, published in the European Neurology Journal, researchers found that calcium levels in the body are higher during some of the deepest levels of sleep, such as the rapid eye movement (REM) phase.  The study concluded that disturbances in sleep, especially the absence of REM deep sleep or disturbed REM sleep, are related to a calcium deficiency. Restoration to the normal course of sleep was achieved following the normalization of the blood calcium level.

In another report called “The Nutritional Relationships of Magnesium”, the author notes that the type of insomnia associated with a calcium deficiency causes difficulty with falling asleep.  This same study says that: “Muscle cramps associated with calcium deficiency often occur at night and without exertion.  Such cramps usually involve the calves and thighs, but not the hands or feet.”

Regarding magnesium, this study notes that the “Classical sign of magnesium deficiency is insomnia characterized by falling asleep easily but awakening frequently throughout the night, with individuals finding themselves tired even after several hours of sleep.”

One natural insomnia remedy showing good results is Sleep Minerals II from NutritionBreakthroughs.com.  This natural sleep aid contains powerful forms of calcium and magnesium, the best known minerals for relaxation and sleep, as well as for restless leg syndrome, stomach health, teenage insomnia, and menopause insomnia.  The ingredients are formulated in a softgel with healthy oils, making them more quickly absorbable than tablets or capsules and providing a deeper, longer-lasting sleep.

Kimberly B. of Troy, Michigan says: “I have been taking Sleep Minerals II for about a month now. I have tried everything out there and this supplement is amazing. I have suffered with insomnia for 2 1/2 years. I have also had restless leg syndrome my entire life and this is the first relief I’ve ever had…gone for a month now.”

Make good use of natural minerals as the first line of defense against insomnia.

For more information on Sleep Minerals II, visit this page.

Hair Loss Research: Study Shows a Promising Natural Remedy

Natural Remedy for Hair Loss

A full head of beautiful hair and an attractive appearance are highly desirable things.  For some people, losing their hair can cause a great deal of stress.  Among the causes of hair loss are heredity, hormones, aging, poor circulation, a poor diet, and illness. While drugs can be used to regrow a bit of hair, they also have side effects.

Many health-minded people have spent some time searching for a natural treatment solution that could regrow hair. According to a recent study in the “Archives of Dermatology”, their search just may be over. 

Alopecia is a general word that means loss of the hair on the head or baldness.  Loss of all of the scalp hair is known as alopecia totalis. Loss of all body hair is termed alopecia universalis.  Alopecia areata occurs when the hair falls out in patches.

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils to achieve therapeutic health benefits.  It dates back thousands of years to the time of Cleopatra.  Essential oils are highly concentrated extracts which are derived from the flowers, leaves, bark and roots of various plants. They contain the plant’s active “lifelike” properties and are said to be the “blood” of the plant. 

Among these essential oils are cedarwood, lavender, rosemary and thyme, all of which have been used to treat alopecia for over a hundred years. However, no scientific study has been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of these substances until now.

A revolutionary aromatherapy study was recently published in the “Archives of Dermatology.”  Isabelle C. Hay and co-researchers from the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in Scotland studied 86 people with diagnosed alopecia areata.  The trial lasted seven months and while the trial took place, the participants stopped using topical (skin) and oral alopecia medications. 

Instead, half of the people used a blend of cedarwood (2 drops), lavender (3 drops), rosemary (3 drops) and thyme (2 drops), in a carrier oil mix of jojoba oil (1/2 teaspoon) and grapeseed oil (4 teaspoons). The placebo group used just the carrier oils.  Patients were taught to massage the oil into the bare areas of their scalp for two minutes each evening and then wrap a warm towel around their head to enhance absorption.

At the beginning of the study, and again after three and seven months, professional photographs were taken of each patient’s scalp. Changes as seen in the photographs served as the primary outcome measure.  Mapping and measuring of the bald patches was also done to determine results.

An impressive 44 percent of the group using the essential oils significantly improved.  The average area of hair regrowth with the essential oils was 104 square centimeters, compared with nearly zero for those using the placebo.  According to one intriguing photograph provided by the researchers, considerable hair regrowth occurred with one male patient who had both alopecia areata and severe male pattern hair loss.

These results show aromatherapy to be a safe and effective treatment for alopecia areata.  The researchers were proud to have successfully applied an evidence-based method to an alternative therapy.  Evidently, one or more of the essential oils is able to promote hair regrowth.  And unlike standard medical therapies, the essential oils have a very low risk of side effects and are not nearly as costly.

This health news is brought to you by www.NutritionBreakthroughs.com.  Since 2001 Nutrition Breakthroughs has been providing natural health articles and effective natural remedies.  Their mission is to provide nutritional supplements that actually work and get results, and therefore help people to avoid drugs and their side effects.

Since 2009, their natural sleep remedy Sleep Minerals II has been keeping that promise — by soothing even the worst insomnia and helping everyone from teenagers to seniors to get a good night’s sleep.  For more information on the effective natural insomnia remedy Sleep Minerals II, visit this page.

Effective Natural Remedies for Sinuses, Colds and Flus

 

Greetings to you,

It’s Jobee Knight from Nutrition Breakthroughs.  Here are some simple, proven natural remedies for sinus infections and colds, many of which are backed-up by research studies.  For example, garlic is a commonly used cold medicine.  It’s widely used in Russia and is known there as “Russian Penicillin”.  Garlic supports immune function and it can kill bacteria, parasites, fungus and the flu virus.   One study from the journal Planta Medica showed that fresh garlic kills several kinds of viruses.

Horserdish is another plant that can ease throat and upper respiratory infections.  It has good antibiotic properties and a study in “Virologie” found that horseradish can destroy the flu virus and reduce the severity of flu infections.  While eating horseradish can make the eyes water and nose run, it can also create a similar release of watery fluids inside the bronchial passages of the lungs.  This helps to flush them out and wash away congestion.  For this reason, hot foods and spices in general are also very good for colds and flus.

This news is provided to you by Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of the effective natural insomnia remedy Sleep Minerals II.  For more information on Sleep Minerals II, click here: http://www.nutritionbreakthroughs.com/html/sleep_remedy_for_insomnia_help.html

Here’s to your good health,

Jobee Knight
President
Nutrition Breakthroughs

Study Shows Natural Ginger Effective against Arthritis and Inflammation

Ginger for Arthritis

An estimated 50 million U.S. adults (about 1 of 5) report having doctor-diagnosed arthritis.  Arthritis is the nation’s most common cause of disability and is defined as painful inflammation, aching, stiffness, and swelling in or around the joints.  Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis.  It causes pain, swelling, and reduced motion in joints. It can occur in any joint, but usually it affects hands, knees, hips or spine.

 

Osteoarthritis breaks down the cartilage in the joints. Cartilage is the slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones in a joint. Healthy cartilage absorbs the shock of movement. When cartilage is lost, the bones rub together which can damage the joint.

 

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, which means the arthritis results from the immune system attacking the body’s own tissues.  It can affect body parts besides the joints, such as the eyes, mouth and lungs.

 

A recent study published in the journal “Arthritis” has found that a standardized ginger extract is as effective as the anti-inflammatory drug betamethasone for arthritis, but without the long list of side effects the drug is known for.

 

This test tube study used cells from joint fluid in three different types of people — those with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and healthy joints.  The cells were exposed to special inflammatory triggers in the presence of either betamethasone (an anti-inflammatory drug), ibuprofen (an over the counter pain relief drug such as Advil), or a standardized herbal ginger extract.

 

The researchers discovered that Ginger extract was an equally effective anti-inflammatory agent as the drug betamethasone in this test.  Ginger was able to reduce the cellular causes of joint pain and swelling.  This makes it a good natural arthritis remedy, as according to Drugs .com, side effects of betamethasone can include fluid accumulation, glucose intolerance (a pre-diabetic state), nausea, vomiting, eye diseases, adrenal gland suppression, insomnia, nervousness and depression.

 

Ginger extract is available in capsules, tablets and tea, and fresh ginger root is often available in grocery stores and can be added to cooked dishes.

 

This health news is provided by Nutrition Breakthroughs.  Since 2001 Nutrition Breakthroughs has been providing natural health articles and effective natural remedies.  Their mission is to provide nutritional supplements that actually work and get results, and therefore help people to avoid harmful drugs and their side effects.  Since 2009, their natural sleep remedy Sleep Minerals II has been keeping that promise — by soothing even the worst insomnia and helping everyone from teenagers to seniors to get a good night’s sleep.

 

New Studies Show Fish Oil Helps the Heart, Stomach and Immune System

There is an ongoing battle between the healthy and unhealthy fats in our diets. We can take steps toward winning the war by eating higher quality fats and the victories will include less joint pain, stronger eyes, fewer heart problems, lower blood pressure, and less cases of asthma and migraines. The healthiest fats include fish and fish oil (salmon, sardines, trout), flax oil, walnuts, almonds, avocados, olive oil, and rice bran oil.

The unhealthy fats, and the ones that can contribute to conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, inflammation and stomach troubles, are fried food, fast food, processed foods like chips, crackers and cookies, baked foods with hydrogenated oil, and eating a lot of full-fat meat and dairy.

Fish oil is widely known for its benefits to heart health and inflammation, but until now, scientists were not entirely sure about its immunity enhancing effects. A new report appearing in an issue of a biology journal has shown that fish oil enhances the activity of a certain kind of blood cell responsible for immunity in the body.  Fish oil may actually aid immune responses that help clear out various diseases.

Another study was recently done at the Columbia University Medical Center in New York regarding the use of fish oil for the health of the heart and arteries.  Researchers there found that a diet rich in fish oils can prevent the accumulation of fat in the aorta, the main artery leaving the heart. The beneficial actions of fish oil that block cholesterol buildup in the arteries were found even at very high fat intakes.

Scientists at the University of California in Los Angeles compared fish oil with soybean oil for the fat component that was used in feeding tubes for children with stomach failure.  The study was titled “Six months of fish oil reverses liver disease in children with intestinal failure.”  With the fish oil, nearly 80 percent of the patients experienced a reversal of their liver disease, while only 5 percent of the soybean oil patients saw a reversal.  This is a strong statement on the benefits of fish oil for stomach and liver health.

This health news is provided by Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of the effective natural insomnia remedy Sleep Minerals II.

 

Beautiful Hair – How to Choose Safe Shampoo Ingredients

 

We’ve all gazed in admiration at the gorgeous girl in the shampoo commercial who tosses her long, lustrous, shiny hair.  However, in our quest for beautiful hair, we may be unknowingly using products that contain harmful synthetic chemicals — some of which can damage our skin, scalp, and eyes.  Here is some info on a few of the most widely used chemicals and their effects, and also some news on the healthiest, most beautifying natural alternatives.

The Food & Drug Administration’s Consumer Magazine recently wrote that shampoos, rinses and conditioners can cause eye problems that range from irritation, all the way to permanent eye damage.  One common irritant in shampoos is sodium lauryl sulfate or SLS.  The FDA requires companies to list their ingredients in hair care products in descending order, with the most abundant ingredient first.  

SLS is usually one of the first listed ingredients in hair care products.  It is a strong detergent which is also used in dish soap.  According to the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, SLS produces skin and hair damage, including cracking and severe inflammation of tissue.  Skin layers can separate and inflame due to its protein-damaging properties. 

Another frequent chemical used in shampoos is methyl paraben.  It is a synthetic preservative derived from a petroleum or gasoline base.  Parabens are known to be weakly estrogenic.  They can be absorbed through the skin, where they may then act as an alien female hormone.

The DEA, MEA and TEA-related ingredients are another group of toxic chemicals. Some of these include Cocamide DEA, Stearamide MEA, and TEA-Lauryl Sulfate.  The National Toxicology Program completed a study that found a relationship between the topical skin application of these ingredients and the development of liver and kidney cancer in laboratory animals.  These are almost always contained in products that foam and lather up, such as shampoos, bubble bath, body wash, liquid soap and facial cleansers.

While wholly natural hair care products cannot usually be found on the shelves of grocery stores and drug stores, they are readily available at health food stores and at health-minded product manufacturer’s web sites.  Natural product alternatives may not overflow with the lather or suds produced from artificial chemicals, but they do provide an effective cleansing and conditioning of the hair and scalp and without health risks to the skin, eyes, or hormones.  

Coconut Oil, Corn Oil and Olive Oil-based soaps are good replacements for the harsher detergents such as sodium lauryl sulfate and cocamide DEA.  Natural oils from herbs and plants, like almond oil, primrose oil and sunflower oil, are excellent additions to shampoos and conditioners as they are softening and soothing to the skin.  These are easily dissolved in the oils of the skin and absorbed. Good substitutes for synthetic paraben preservatives are Vitamins A, C and E, as well as citrus seed extract and tea tree oil.

The aloe vera plant is widely used in natural products.  It resembles a cactus and contains a clear gel inside its leaves.  As opposed to the synthetics that cause dry, cracked and inflamed skin, aloe is a moisturizing healer that has been proven to cure psoriasis.  Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that consists of dry red patches and scales that frequently occur on the scalp and behind the ears.  In one study, researchers showed that aloe cream applied to the skin, successfully treated psoriasis with no toxic effects. In this study, aloe cured 25 of 30 subjects, compared to the placebo cure rate of 2 out of 30 people (From “Tropical Medicine and International Health”, 1996, vol. 1).

Treat yourself well.  Look for and use these safer ingredients in hair care products.

This news is brought to you by Nutrition Breakthroughs.  Since 2001 Nutrition Breakthroughs has been providing natural health articles and effective natural remedies.  Their mission is to provide nutritional supplements that actually work and get results, and therefore help people to avoid drugs and their side effects. 

Since 2009, their natural sleep remedy Sleep Minerals II has been keeping that promise — by soothing even the worst insomnia and helping everyone from teenagers to seniors to get a good night’s sleep. For more information, visit http://www.NutritionBreakthroughs.com.